Ski boot cleat

ABSTRACT

A ski-boot cleat which is adapted to be removably attached to the well known ski boot whereby the skier can stand erect in a substantially vertical position when the cleat is positioned under the ball of the foot. The cleat comprises a main cleat body having the bottom surface formed with a plurality of transverse rib members, whereby the boot can fulcrum thereon, the upper surface being formed with a recess having longitudinal flange members located on the opposite sides of the recess wherein the sole of the boot is received therein. The cleat includes a resilient strap secured thereto, the strap being arranged to be mounted over the outer peripheral edge of the sole.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates to ski boots and, more particularly, to a cleatwhich is arranged to be removably mounted to a ski boot when the boot isnot mounted to a ski, allowing the skier to stand substantially erect.

2. Description of the Prior Art

As is well known in the art, various problems and difficulties areencountered when a skier tries to stand for long periods of time orwalks when wearing ski boots, particularly when the ground surface issubstantially flat.

There are many types of ski boots that are available for use by skiers;however, the average ski boot is made of rather stiff material, somebeing molded as a monolithic unit. Thus, once the skier is wearing theshoes, he or she has a very difficult time standing in an erectposition.

Due to the particular configuration of ski boots, the skier is generallycompelled to have his knees bent forwardly when both standing andwalking. That is, the portion of the boot that covers the ankle andlower leg area is formed at a slight angle leaning towards the toe ofthe shoe portion, and is not flexible. Therefore, the foot and ankle ofthe skier are held firmly at the angle of the particular boot.

It becomes very difficult to stand for any length of time or to walk forany distance under these conditions.

Hence, a suitable means that can be readily attachable to the ski boot,to cause the wearer thereof to stand in a more vertical position, ishighly desirable.

The following description of the applicant's invention will show how theabove problems have been overcome.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention comprises a cleat for ski boots that is removablyattached thereto to enable the wearer to stand in a more verticalposition than is at present possible. The ski-boot cleat comprises acleat body which is designed to fit across the sole of a ski boot,preferably adjacent the ball of the foot of the wearer thereof. Thecleat body includes a channeled recess defined by oppositely disposedflange members, wherein the sole of the boot is received in a recesshaving the flanges positioned beside the outer edge of the sole.

The lower or bottom surface of the cleat is formed with a plurality oftransverse rib members that define a fulcrum means, which will allow thewearer of the boot to transfer his weight back and forth from the heelto the toe, and vice versa, when walking. The cleat also allows thewearer, while standing, to transfer his body weight to the heel of theboot with the forward shoe portion being elevated, thereby allowing theknee of the skier to have a less geniculated arrangement. Thus, theskier can stand substantially erect in a more relaxed position.

Accordingly, in order to hold the cleat body in the proper position onthe sole, there is included a flexible, stretchable strap which issecured to the cleat by being received in a pair of longitudinal slotsformed in the cleat body. The strap is stretched to mount about theextended peripheral edge of the boot. Thus, it can be mounted or removedat any time to allow the ski to be mounted to the ski boot.

The present device has an additional feature wherein the strap can bepositioned around the ankle area and indirectly attached to the ski by asnap clamp and connecting line. This provides a safety strap as well,whereby the ski can not be completely separated from the skier when theski becomes disengaged from the boot, particularly during use.

OBJECTS AND ADVANTAGES OF THE INVENTION

The present invention has for an important object a provision wherein askier is provided with more freedom of action in walking and/or standingin the ski boots, thereby preventing the necessity of the awkwardposition of knees-bent-forward that the present style of ski bootsrequires.

It is another object of the invention to provide a ski-boot cleat thatis easily adjustable to fit all types and sizes of boots and shoes.

It is still another object of the invention to provide a ski-boot cleatthat allows the wearer thereof to transfer his weight from heel to toe,or toe to heel, without too much effort, the cleat thus becoming afulcrum point of the boot.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a second featurewherein the device can be used a safety connecting means between theskier and the ski.

It is still a further object of the invention to provide a device ofthis character that includes few operating parts.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a device of thischaracter that is relatively inexpensive to manufacture.

A still further object of the present invention is to provide a ski-bootcleat that is simple but rugged in construction.

The characteristics and advantages of the invention are furthersufficiently referred to in connection with the accompanying drawings,which represent one embodiment. After considering this example, skilledpersons will understand that variations may be made without departingfrom the principles disclosed and I contemplate the employment of anystructures, arrangements or modes of operation that are properly withinthe scope of the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Referring more particularly to the accompanying drawings, which are forillustrative purposes only:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the present invention illustrating thesafety connecting unit attached thereto;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 2--2 of FIG. 1 showingthe mounting strap secured to the cleat body;

FIG. 3 is a side elevational view showing the ski cleat mounted to a skiboot when the body weight is placed on the heel;

FIG. 4 is a side elevational view showing the ski cleat mounted to theski boot when the body weight is placed on the forward or ball portionof the boot; and

FIG. 5 illustrates the present invention being used as a safetyconnecting means attached between the boot and a ski.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring more particularly to the drawings, there is shown in FIG. 1 aski-boot cleat, generally indicated at 10, comprising a cleat body 12having a substantially rectangular configuration, wherein the overalllength thereof is equal to the average width of the sole of most skiboots, the ski boot being indicated generally at 14 at FIGS. 3, 4 and 5.

Ski boots of the type shown are very often made of such materials thatthe boot is rather stiff and non-pliable. That is, the shoe portion 16is generally integrally formed with the ankle portion 18 and the sole20. To aid in the proper stance or posture of the ankle, portion 18 isvery often inclined forwardly towards the toe of the shoe portion 16.Due to the inclined arrangement of the ankle-shoe portion relationshipand the non-flexible situation between each portion, the wearer thereofis forced to bend his knees forwardly, which is necessary when one isactually skiing. However, it becomes very awkward when the skies are nolonger attached to the boots. That is, while the skier is standing andis not ready to ski, he is positioned with his knees slightlygeniculated forwardly. Thus, in order to provide a more erect orvertical posture, one simply can attach the ski-boot cleat 10 as seen inFIGS. 3 and 4.

Accordingly, the cleat body 12 includes a transverse elongated recess 22defined by oppositely disposed side flange members 24. The recess 22 isso arranged as to freely receive the sole 20 of the boot therein,wherein each flange member 24 is positioned adjacent the outer edges ofsole 20, and wherein the cleat is located adjacent and below the ball ofthe foot.

The cleat body 12 is slidably attached to a mounting strap 26 formed asa continuous loop of a flexible, stretchable material of any suitablewell-known type. Hence, the strap is attached to the cleat body by meansof a pair of channels 28 in which two portions of strap 26 are arranged.Each channel 28 includes access slots 30 formed in the lower or bottomsurface of the cleat body 12 as seen in FIG. 2 thereof.

Body 12 also includes a fulcrum means which comprises a plurality oftransverse rib members 32 arranged to engage the surface 34. In order tolocate and hold cleat body 12 in its proper position with respect to theboot, the mounting strap is provided with a small front loop 26a and arear loop 26b. Said forward small loop 26a is snapped over the front ortoe member 33 of sole 20 of boot 14; and the larger rear loop is snappedover the extended edge of the heel member 35 of sole 20, as indicated inFIGS. 3 and 4.

The larger rear loop 26b is provided with a pull tab 36 whereby theskier pulls said tab 36 to stretch strap 26 over the extended heelmember 35.

Thus, it can be seen that the weight of the skier is placed on the heelmember and the toe member is lifted above the ground level 34, as seenin FIG. 3. This arrangement allows the skier greater freedom of actionwhereby his knees no longer need to bend as the ankle portion is tiltedrearwardly, allowing each leg to straighten. Accordingly, as seen inFIG. 4, the boot fulcrums forward over ribs 32 at which time the heelraises and the toe dips downwardly, allowing the skier freedom to walk.

Referring now to FIG. 5, there is shown an alternative use for thepresent device; that is, it can be arranged on the ankle member of theboot 15 and connected to the ski, so as to provide a means whereby theski 40 can not be lost when it is accidentally separated from the skiboot, as shown in phantom lines.

The ski 40 is equipped with a ski-clamp means having a toe clamp 42 anda rear heel clamp 44. The large loop 26b is positioned over the ankle;and the small loop 26a is connected to restraining means 45 comprisingsnap clamp 46, which in turn is provided with a band 48. Band 48 issecured in any conventional manner to heel clamp 44. When the ski 40separates from boot 40, it is restrained by the interconnecting of cleat10 and the restraining means 45.

The invention and its attendant advantages will be understood from theforegoing description and it will be apparent that various changes maybe made in the form, construction and arrangement of the parts of theinvention without departing from the spirit and scope thereof orsacrificing its material advantages, the arrangement herein beforedescribed being merely by way of example, and I do not wish to berestricted to the specific form shown or uses mentioned, expect asdefined in the accompanying claims.

We claim:
 1. A removable ski-boot cleat comprising:a cleat body memberwith fulcrum means formed thereon; a stretchable strap removably securedto said cleat-body member; a pair of longitudinally disposed channelsformed in said cleat-body member, wherein each channel includescorresponding slots through which said strap is passed to be held insaid channels; mounting means for stretching said strap to attach saidcleat to said boot; and restraining means to removably attach the ski tosaid boot.
 2. A ski-boot cleat as recited in claim 1, wherein saidfulcrum means comprises a plurality of transverse rib members formingthe bottom surface of said cleat-body member, whereby the cleat ispositioned adjacent the forward portion of the ski boot to allow theboot to pivot thereon.
 3. A ski-boot cleat as recited in claim 2,wherein said mounting means includes a pull tab secured to said strapwhereby said strap can be stretched for mounting said cleat to saidboot.
 4. A ski-boot cleat as recited in claim 3, wherein saidrestraining means is removably attached between said strap and the skiwhen said strap is positioned about the ankle porton of said boot.
 5. Aski-boot cleat as recited in claim 4, wherein said restraining meanscomprises:a snap clamp having one end thereof connected to said strap;and a band member attached to said snap clamp.